high-grade sake; fine sake
A literary or elegant term for premium sake. Not used in casual conversation; appears in poetry, traditional contexts, or refined descriptions.
This fine sake was served at a special celebratory occasion.
The word 玉酒 often appears in old waka poems.
Compound of 玉 (ぎょく, 'jewel, precious') and 酒 (しゅ, 'sake, alcohol'), literally 'jewel sake'. The exact historical origin is uncertain; it is a classical poetic term for high-quality sake.